Charade

sha-rad', a sort of punning enigma. A word is chosen. Usually each syllable or letter is described in verse or prose as enigmatically as possible, and finally the whole word is described. A few examples may serve to make this description clear:

My first is company; my second shuns company; my third collects a company; my whole amuses company.

Answer. Co-nun-drum.

I am composed of four letters. My last is equal to my whole and my whole is nothing at all.

Answer. Zero.

My first is an article of furniture; my second is a grain; my third is what we all want. My whole is one of the United States.

Answer. Mat-ri-mony.

Some one threw my first and second at my third, but it did not hurt me for it was only a branch of my whole.

Answer. Mistletoe.

Of another sort is the acted charade. The players choose a word and act each syllable, or group of syllables, and finally act the entire word. The company endeavors to guess the word. Amost any device as dialogue, allusion, quotation, story telling, posing, and punning are permissible. Words like catalog, Massachusetts, mandolin, Friday, Cinderella, antimony, silicate, sentinel, century, sirup, etc., are adapted to the purpose. Accurate syllabication is not insisted on. No twisting of meaning is considered too far-fetched for parlor charades. Sirup, for instance may be represented by a man standing on a chair (sir up).